Blank cartridge pistol for propelling projectiles



P. M. TABOR Oct. 17, 1967 BLANK CARTRIDGE PISTOL FOR PROPELLINGPROJECTILES Filed May 2, 1966 W W BY rfaf/Vf//s United States PatentOflce 3,345,981 Patented Gct. 17, 1967' 3,346,981 BLANK CARTRIDGE PISTOLFOR PRQPELLING PRUJECTILES Patrick MacDonald Tabor, Sierra Madre,Calif., assrgnor to Mercox, Inc., Pasadena, Calif., a corporation ofCalifornia Filed May 2, 1966, Ser. No. 546,979 Claims. (Cl. 42-1) Thisinvention relates to a weapon and more particularly to a hand-heldweapon for puopelling projectiles.

Various types of weapons have been devised for propelling or tiringprojectiles. The present invention is directed to a hand-held weapon forpropelling numerous dart type projectiles principally as an aid in lawenforcement and military activities, ,and for humane animal control.Projectiles of this nature include marking darts for identicationpurposes, tear gas darts, syringe or hypodermic darts, explosive darts,training darts, and so forth. Several weapons have been proposed in thepast -for propelling such darts, -but these Weapons generally have notbeen entirely satisfactory for one or more reasons. Exemplary lforms ofprior art weapons of this nature have relied upon a source `ofcompressed air or gas resulting in short range capabilities andinaccuracies. Another prior art type device is in the form of a rifleand uses a powder actuation principle whereby the gas developed from apowder charge is regulated through an expansion cha-mber to give a widerange of propulsion power to enable reasonable accuracy to be maintainedaccording to the desired range. However, such weapons generally havebeen bulky, cumbersome to use, complex in construction, expensive, andsometimes of limited range.

Accordingly it is .an object of the present invention to provide animproved hand-held weapon for propelling dart type projectiles.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a weapon in theform of a pistol for propelling projectiles, and which is relativelycompact and simple` to use.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a pistol typedart projectile weapon which is relatively easy to use and in which thepressure for propelling a dart may be varied in la simple ma-nner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a co-mpact hand held-typedart projectile weapon including a relatively simple and inexpensiveregulating valve for selecting the propelling pressure for theprojectile.

These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent upon.a consideration of the following description taken in conjunction withthe drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, partially in section of a hand heldweapon constructed .according to the concepts of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view of a portion of theWeapon shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a yline 3-3 Iof FIGURE 1showing a regulating valve of the weapon;

FIGURE 4 is fa cross-sectional view taken along a line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;and

FIGURE 5 is -a sectional view taken along a line 5 5 of FIGURE 4.

Referring now to the drawing, a hand Weapon in the form of a revolverconstructed in accorda-nce with the teachings -of the present inventionis shown in FIGURE 1. The weapon includes essentially a conventionalrevolver mechanism without the usual barrel. The revolver mechanism 10includes a body 11, the stocks not being shown -for simplicity ofillustration, along with a conventional cylinder 12, hammer 13, trigger14 and extractor knob 15. The cylinder 12 typically includes sixchambers for receiving cartridges. Conventional blank gas generatorcartridges having a powder charge therein are used in the chambers inthe cylinder 12, and each Cartridge serves as a source of gas pressure'for propelling a projectile as will be discussed in greater detailsubsequently. Such cartridges, such as .22 caliber, are well known andextensively used in the powder actuated tool field.

The weapon further includes a barrel assembly, generally denoted byreference numeral 18 coupled by mea-ns of a block and valve bodyassembly 19 including a block 20 and Valve 21, to the body of therevolver 10. A coupling screw 22 and nut 23 couple the body assembly 19to the revolver 10 in place of the conventional barrel of the revolveras is better seen in FIGURE 2. The screw is threaded into theconventional barrel receiving aperture of the revolver at 24, and has atapered bore 25 therethrough which communicates with one of the chambersin the cylinder 12. The tapered bore 25 increases the gas velocity uponfiring a cartridge. Although there is a small space between the cylinder12 and rear face of the screw 22 to allow the cylinder 12 to revolve,this has not been found to significantly degrade gas communicationbetween the cartridge and the bore 25. 'I'he nut 23- is threaded ontothe screw at 27, and seats against a flange 28 within the block 20thereby securing the body lassembly 19 to the body 11 of the revolver10. The bore 25 in the screw 22 communicates through an aperture 30 inthe Inut 23 with a simple gas chamber 31 within the block 20. A gaschamber cap 32 is threaded into the block 20 at 33 to enable access tothe nut 23 and to seal the chamber 31.

The body assembly 19 is aligned with the barrel as. sembly 18 by meansof an index pin 35, and the two assemblies .are secured together, as byWelding. A vented rib 36 is provided as a spacer and support between thebarrel assembly 18 and the body 11 of the revolver 10, and is secured tothe body 11 by means of a screw 37. The block 20 has a passageway 40therethrough communicating with an aperture 41 in an -outer barrel 42 ofthe barrel assembly 18. The valve 21, which is a pressure selecting ormetering valve, is mounted in the passageway 40 in the block 20 to meterthe gas pressure from the chamber 31 to the aperture 41. As will appearsubsequently, the valve 21 enables the selection of three different sizeforices 46 through 48.

The barrel assembly 18 includes a barrel liner 50 which typically may beapproximately twelve inches long and is secured within the outer barrel42 by a nut 51 and a pressure cap 52. An annular gas chamber 54 isprovided between the barrel liner 50 and the outer 'barrel 42. Thebarrel liner includes a plurality of radial holes 55 therethrough nearthe breech end thereof. Thus, it can be seen that the gas resulting fromring a cartridge communicates through the bore 25 in the screw 22, theoriiice 30 in the nut 23, the gas chamber 31, one of the orices 46through 48 of the valve 21 in the passageway 40', the orice 41, theannular chamber 54, and the holes 55 to the inside of the barrel liner50. The gas can then exert suiiicient propelling force on a projectile,such as a projectile 56 shown in phantom lines in the barrel liner 50. Abreech cap 58 is hinged by a pin 59 to the pressure cap 52, and a breechlock handle 60 secures the Cap 58 in the closed position shown in FIGURE2 after loading the projectile into the liner 50.

The valve 21 includes a knob 65 and plug 66. A segment of the plug 66 isremoved at 67, and the three orices 46 through 48 are drilled radiallythrough the plug. These orifices are of different diameters to enablethe selection of the appropriate gas pressure to be applied to theprojectile. As an example, the orifices 46 through 48 may respectivelybe 0.156 inch, 0.093 inch, and 0.055

3 inch in diameter. The smaller orifice provides a greater velocity butlower volume of gas to the projectile, which in turn shortens the rangethereof. The range typically may be varied between tive and sixty yards.It will be appreciated that a fewer number or a greater number of oriceshaving various sizes may be used.

A washer 70 and screw 7l secure the plug 66 within the block 2d. Aplurality of detent index holes 72 through 74 are provided in the knob65, and a detent ball 75 and spring 76 are provided within a bore 77 inthe block Z0 to enable positive positioning of the valve 2l. A slot 78is provided in the knob 65, and a pin 79 affixed to the block 2@ ridesin this slot to limit the rotary travel of the valve.

It will be apparent that a weapon constructed in accordance with theteachings of the present invention may be easily loaded, hand held andfired, and is relatively simple to operate. A plurality of rounds may becarried by the cylinder 12 to fire a number of projectiles without therequirement of changing or reloading a gas charge, and breech loading ofprojectiles greatly simplifies use f the weapon.

A projectile weapon according to the present invention is particularlyuseful for propelling dart type projectiles of the nature of thosedescribed in copending United States patent applications Ser. No.546,874 entitled Material Discharge Projectile and Ser. No. 546,988entitled, Explosive Projectile, both being tiled concurrently herewithby applicant.

The present embodiment of the invention is to be oonsidered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope thereof beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims therefore are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

l. A hand-held weapon for propelling projectiles including a mechanismfor successively firing plural explosive charges to provide gas pressurefor propelling projectiles, the improvement comprising body assemblymeans secured with said mechanism,

said body assembly means having a bore therein for receiving gas from anexploded charge, and having a gas chamber therein communicating wit-hsaid bore for receiving said gas,

gas pressure selector valve means mounted in said body assembly meansand including a plurality of different size orifices communicating withsaid gas chamber,

a barrel assembly for receiving a projectile, said barrel assembly beingsecured to said body assembly means and including an annular chambertherein providing a gas flow path from said gas chamber through one `ofsaid orifices in said valve means to the bore of said barrel assemblyfor propelling a projectile, and said valve means being operable toselect any one of said orifices to change the gas pressure applied fromsaid gas chamber through a selected orice and said annular chamber tothe bore of said barrel assembly. 2. A weapon as in claim 1 wherein saidvalve means includes plug means mounted for rotation in said bodyassembly means and detent means for facilitating the selection of anindividual i orifice, said orifices extending through said plug means toenable communication from said gas chamber to said annular chamberthrough a selected orifice.

3. A weapon as in claim 1 wherein said barrel assembly includes an outerbarrel secured to said body assembly means and a barrel liner coaxiallymounted with respect to said outer barrel and having at least a portionwithin said outer 'barrel thereby defining said annular chamber betweensaid liner and outer barrel,

said barrel liner being cylindrical for receiving a projectile, `andhaving an opening therethrough communicating with said annular chamber,and

said outer barrel having an aperture communicating between said annularchamber and sai-d valve means.

4. A weapon as in claim 3 wherein said valve means includes plug meansmounted for rotation in said body assembly means and detent means forfacilitating the selection of an individual orifice, said orificesextending through said plug means to enable communication from said gaschamber to said annular chamber through a selected orifice.

5. A pistol for propelling projectiles including a mechanism forsuccessively firing plural explosive charges to provide gas pressure forpropelling projectiles, the irnprovement comprising a body assemblyhaving a gas chamber therein, screw means coupling said body assemblywith said mechanism, said screw means having a bore therein fordirecting gas from a charge tired by said mechanism into said gaschamber,

a gas pressure selector valve including plug means mounted for rotationin said body assembly, said plug means including a plurality ofdifferent size orifices extending therethrough and selectivelycommunicating with said gas chamber, said valve further including detentmeans for facilitating positive positioning of said plug means andselection of an individual orice,

a barrel assembly including an outer barrel secured to said bodyassembly and a barrel liner coaxially mounted with respect to said outerbarrel and having at least a portion within said outer barrel therebydefining an annular chamber within said barrel assembly between saidliner and said outer barrel,

said outer barrel having an aperture communicating between said annularchamber and said valve means for enabling gas communication between saidgas chamber and said annular chamber through a selected orifice, and

said barrel liner including a bore therethrough for receiving aprojectile, and having a plurality of openings through the wall thereofcommunicating with said annular chamber for providing a gas flow pathfrom said annular chamber to propel a projectile within said barrelliner.

No references cited.

BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner.

1. A HAND-HELD WEAPON FOR PROPELLING PROJECTILES INCLUDING A MECHANISMFOR SUCCESSIVELY FIRING PLURAL EXPLOSIVE CHARGE TO PROVIDE GAS PRESSUREFOR PROPELLING PROJECTILES, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING BODY ASSEMBLYMEANS SECURED WITH SAID MECHANISM, SAID BODY ASSEMBLY MEANS HAVING ABORE THEREIN FOR RECEIVING GAS FROM AN EXPLODED CHARGE, AND HAVING A GASCHAMBER THEREIN COMMUNICATING WITH SAID BORE FOR RECEIVING SAID GAS, GASPRESSURE SELECTOR VALVE MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID BODY ASSEMBLY MEANS ANDINCLUDING A PLURALITY OF DIFFERENT SIZE ORIFICES COMMUNICATING WITH SAIDGAS CHAMBER, A BARREL ASSEMBLY FOR RECEIVING A PROJECTILE, SAID BARRELASSEMBLY BEING SECURED TO SAID BODY ASSEMBLY MEANS AND INCLUDING ANANNULAR CHAMBER THEREIN PROVIDING A GAS FLOW PATH FROM SAID GAS CHAMBERTHROUGH ONE OF SAID ORIFICES IN SAID VALVE MEANS TO THE BORE OF SAIDBARREL ASSEMBLY FOR PROPELLING A PROJECTILE, AND SAID VALVE MEANS BEINGOPERABLE TO SELECT ANY ONE OF SAID ORIFICES TO CHANGE THE GAS PRESSUREAPPLIED FROM SAID GAS CHAMBER THROUGH A SELECTED ORIFICE AND SAIDANNULAR CHAMBER TO THE BORE OF SAID BARREL ASSEMBLY.